Travel Guides

Inhaca Island

Situated almost 25 miles (40km) off the coast of Maputo, Inhaca
Island is an immensely popular African resort destination boasting
beautiful beaches, some of the Mozambique Channel's best coral
reefs, a historic lighthouse, marine biology museum and large areas
of protected forest.

Easily accessible from the capital, it is a favourite among
snorkellers and divers, who usually head for the reefs at Santa
Maria, to the lighthouse, or explore the surrounding sunken wrecks.
The Santa Maria reef has a strong drift current that runs parallel
to the shore and is fantastic for snorkelling, while the Wall is a
rocky ledge that drops 66 feet (20m) to the bottom, harbouring
numerous caves and ledges filled with a variety of marine life.

Game fishing and watersports like waterskiing, parasailing,
windsurfing, sea kayaking and sailing are also popular on the
island. Inhaca is ringed with beautiful beaches, and visitors can
enjoy a sunset cruise or take a boat across to the deserted
Portuguese Island. The resort has a tennis court and swimming pool,
and excursions can be arranged to the biology station, lighthouse
beach, the mangrove swamps, and the Santa Maria Wall. Restaurants
on Inhaca are mostly limited to the lodge; however, the nearby
village has a takeaway burger stand and an attached seafood
restaurant, as well as a few small shops selling typical tourist
tat like sarongs and seashells. There is no real nightlife on the
island, though the lodge has a bar.

Many tourists find a visit to Inhaca Island a pleasant way to
spend a day, or a week, in Maputo; however, visitors should be
prepared to pay dearly for every service on the island, including a
'tourist tax' levied the second you step off the boat. Swimmers
should also take care, as the beaches are occasionally inundated
with bluebottles.